Jim Risch, a Republican who has represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate since 2009 and briefly served as governor of Idaho, is running for a fourth term in 2026.
2026 Races & Market Forecast
Live TruthIndex™ and prediction market consensus for races contested by Jim Risch.
Live News
Recent media coverage for Jim Risch.
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Candidates weigh in on federal public lands
The Lewiston Tribune asked U.S. Senate candidates Jim Risch (R) and Todd Achilles (I), of Idaho, and U.S. House candidates Russ Fulcher (R) and Kaylee
lmtribune.com
Achilles -
The Senate state of play: An updated handicapping for mid-October 2026
The continued refusal of Alani Bankhead, the Democratic nominee, to defer to Independent Seth Bodnar makes this race essentially unwinnable for Democrats.
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Baumgartner, Conroy both skeptical of Trump’s deal to buy Ru...
On Tuesday, a group of senators – six Republicans and six Democrats – sent Trump a letter calling the deal with Putin “a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our Allies” and asking the American president to rescind…
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Tracking the 35 Senate seats up for grabs in 2026
The Republicans are hopeful of keeping their majority while the Democrats look to flip enough seats to put them on top.
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Full list of 2026 Senate race candidates
There are 35 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2026 midterm elections.
More coverage 4
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Opinion: Jim Risch and the Idaho approach to affordability, energy, and security | Psa
Core themes: Affordability, energy independence, rural Idaho priorities, and veterans’ benefits.
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Both candidates in Washington race skeptical of Trump's deal to buy Russian diesel as bipartisan opposition mounts
The article notes bipartisan opposition to President Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin over Russian diesel, highlighting that six Republicans and six Democrats, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, urged rescission.
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CEI's Future Tech Building: Unlocking New Opportunities for Students (2026)
Jim Risch, U.S. Senator from Idaho, highlights CEI’s Future Tech Building as offering a unique, tailored, and innovative education.
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Risch, Crapo, Wyden, Merkley Introduce Three-Year Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley co-leads a bipartisan bill reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for three more years.
No story this week names this candidate.
- Born
- May 3, 1943
- Birthplace
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Education
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (attended 1961 to 1963)
University of Idaho (B.S. in forestry)
University of Idaho College of Law (J.D.)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
James Elroy Risch was born on May 3, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his father worked as a lineman for Wisconsin Bell. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee between 1961 and 1963, then moved to Idaho and transferred to the University of Idaho at Moscow, which granted him a B.S. in forestry in 1965. He stayed on at the university's College of Law, served on its Law Review and received a J.D. in 1968.
Career
Risch won election as Ada County prosecuting attorney in 1970 and during that tenure taught criminal justice courses at Boise State College. He won a seat in the Idaho Senate in 1974, became majority leader in 1976 and later president pro tempore, and held the seat until his defeat in 1988. Governor Phil Batt appointed him back to the state Senate in 1995, and he sat there until 2002, again as majority leader from 1996.
In 2002 Risch was elected lieutenant governor of Idaho after beating incumbent Jack Riggs in the Republican primary.
When Governor Dirk Kempthorne resigned on May 26, 2006, to take the post of U.S. secretary of the interior, Risch became governor and completed the final seven months of the term; having won the 2006 race for lieutenant governor over Democrat Larry LaRocco, he returned to that office in January 2007 under Governor Butch Otter.
He won the 2008 U.S. Senate election against LaRocco with 58% of the vote, took office on January 3, 2009, and won reelection in 2014 and again in 2020. He chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
2026 race
Risch is seeking a fourth Senate term in 2026 with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. He won the Republican primary on May 19, 2026, with 67.3% of the vote against limited opposition.
Realtor David Roth, the party's 2022 nominee, won the Democratic primary, then withdrew late in July after former state representative Todd Achilles entered the race as an independent with support from Democratic leaders. Achilles is the challenger to Risch in the November 3 general election.